12 Best Graphic Design Apps for Your Business

Having a compelling graphic design plays a crucial role in a business’s success.

From branding and logos to social media posts and marketing materials, visually appealing and professional designs can make a significant impact on your target audience.

With the advancement of technology, there are numerous graphic design apps available that cater to various business needs.

In this blog post, we will explore 12 of the best graphic design apps that can help elevate your business’s visual presence.

1. Adobe Photoshop

Overview and features: Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard raster graphics editor, known for its robust features and versatility. It offers a wide range of tools for image editing, photo manipulation, digital painting, and graphic design. Some of its notable features include layers, filters, text tools, and advanced selection options.

Use cases for businesses: Photoshop is ideal for businesses looking to create high-quality images for advertising, website design, social media content, and product packaging.

2. Adobe Illustrator

Overview and features: Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor, perfect for creating scalable graphics, logos, and illustrations. Its features include the pen tool, pathfinder, artboards, and advanced color management.

Use cases for businesses: Illustrator is an excellent choice for businesses that need to create vector-based graphics, such as logos, icons, typography, and print materials, that can be scaled without losing quality.

3. Adobe InDesign

Overview and features: Adobe InDesign is a professional desktop publishing and layout software, designed for creating multi-page documents, such as brochures, magazines, and eBooks. Key features include master pages, grid systems, typography tools, and seamless integration with other Adobe apps.

Use cases for businesses: InDesign is perfect for businesses that require the creation of polished print and digital layouts, such as catalogs, marketing materials, and annual reports.

4. Canva

Overview and features: Canva is a user-friendly, web-based graphic design platform that offers an extensive library of templates, images, and design elements. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for users with little to no design experience to create visually appealing graphics.

Templates and design options: Canva offers a vast collection of customizable templates for various purposes, including social media posts, presentations, flyers, and business cards. Users can also access millions of stock photos, icons, and fonts to enhance their designs.

Pricing and subscription plans: Canva offers a free plan with limited features, while Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise cater to businesses with more advanced needs and collaboration tools.

5. Sketch

Overview and features: Sketch is a vector-based design tool specifically designed for user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. It offers features such as artboards, symbols, responsive design, and a vast plugin ecosystem.

Collaboration tools: Sketch’s cloud-based collaboration features allow teams to work together seamlessly, share designs, and provide feedback in real-time.

Platforms and integration: Sketch is available exclusively for macOS and integrates well with other design and prototyping tools like Zeplin, InVision, and Figma.

6. Figma

Overview and features: Figma is a web-based vector design and prototyping tool that allows users to create UI and UX designs, wireframes, and prototypes. Its notable features include real-time collaboration, auto-layout, and a robust component library.

Real-time collaboration: Figma’s cloud-based nature enables teams to collaborate in real-time, ensuring efficient workflow and streamlined communication.

Prototyping and design tools: Figma offers a wide range of prototyping features, such as interactive components, transitions, and overlays, making it easy to create and test functional prototypes.

7. Gravit Designer

Overview and features: Gravit Designer is a cross-platform, vector-based design application offering a versatile range of tools for creating graphic design projects. Its features include a customizable workspace, path graphs, gradients, and blending modes.

Cross-platform compatibility: Gravit Designer is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers, providing flexibility and accessibility for designers working on different platforms.

Customizable interface: The app’s interface can be tailored to individual preferences, enabling users to create a personalized and efficient workspace.

8. Affinity Designer

Overview and features: Affinity Designer is a professional vector graphics editor that rivals Adobe Illustrator in terms of features and performance. It offers a clean, intuitive interface with advanced tools for vector and raster design, such as real-time gradients, blend modes, and pixel-perfect precision.

Pricing and subscription plans: Affinity Designer’s one-time purchase model makes it an attractive alternative to subscription-based services like Adobe Illustrator, providing cost-effective access to powerful design tools.

Performance and compatibility: The app is known for its speed, stability, and compatibility across macOS, Windows, and iPadOS.

9. InVision Studio

Overview and features: InVision Studio is a comprehensive design and prototyping tool for creating UI and UX designs, animations, and responsive layouts. Its features include advanced motion design capabilities, responsive design, and shared component libraries.

Prototyping and animation tools: InVision Studio offers a wide array of prototyping features, allowing users to create interactive prototypes with sophisticated animations, transitions, and gestures.

Collaboration and feedback features: The platform provides seamless collaboration and feedback tools, enabling designers and stakeholders to easily share designs, leave comments, and track progress.

10. GIMP

Overview and features: GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source raster graphics editor with a rich set of features for photo editing, digital painting, and graphic design. Its capabilities include layers, masks, filters, and scripting support.

Open-source and free to use: GIMP’s open-source nature and no-cost availability make it an ideal choice for businesses on a tight budget or those seeking an alternative to paid software.

Customization and plugins: GIMP’s open-source community continually develops and contributes plugins, brushes, and scripts, making it a highly customizable and versatile design tool.

11. CorelDRAW

Overview and features: CorelDRAW is a vector graphics suite that offers a comprehensive set of design tools, such as illustration, layout, typography, and photo editing features.

Vector illustration and layout tools: CorelDRAW’s powerful vector tools make it easy to create intricate illustrations, logos, and print materials.

Pricing and subscription plans: CorelDRAW offers a choice between a one-time purchase or a subscription plan, catering to different business needs and budgets.

12. Vectr

Overview and features: Vectr is a free, web-based vector graphics editor that offers a simple, intuitive interface for creating logos, icons, and illustrations.

Free and easy to use: Vectr’s user-friendly approach makes it ideal for beginners or businesses seeking a straightforward, cost-effective design solution.

Real-time collaboration and sharing: Vectr allows users to collaborate in real-time and share their designs through a unique URL, streamlining the feedback process.